Climate experts from the European Union say the global average temperature last month equaled the record high set last year for the month of August.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service made the announcement on Friday.

Officials say the global average temperature last month was 16.82 degrees Celsius. That's the same as August last year, and the highest for the month since records began in 1940.

The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit the increase in global average temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The figure in August was 1.51 degrees.

Copernicus says the "string of record temperatures is increasing the likelihood of 2024 being the hottest year on record."

The group also says that without urgent action, the "temperature-related extreme events witnessed this summer will only become more intense, with more devastating consequences for people and the planet."